Visit from Dad

It was really fun to have my dad come visit us this weekend. He was able to arrange his trip to Dallas to include a couple day lay-over in Baytown. I think he was planning on getting a little more rest than we ended up providing. Just hours after he arrived, he threw us a party...an awesome dinner downtown and the Broadway production of Shrek.
Thanks Dad, it was so fun.
On Sunday, Dad patiently waited for us to make all our after church arrangements (and patiently entertained his fans in our ward..I'm not kidding, they love him). We were woefully unprepared for Halloween. I had purchased what had seemed like a large pot of goods, but even after quickly establishing a ration, our supplies lasted only 20 minutes. I thought about only giving out candy if the kids were creative enough to come up with a name for their costume. We had many kids who did not know what they were dressed up as. Regardless, it was not long until we locked the gate, turned out lights and retreated to the living room for a wonderful conversation regarding the housing and bank policies. Thanks Dad, again.
I further wore out my Dad with an excursion to the Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Monument. (and taking the ferry- that was cool). They were really neat, although after spending so much time on the ship (in the heat) we were too tired to do more than drive around the monument before dashing to lunch.
It was a really great weekend, Dad. I'm so glad that you were able to come down. Good luck in Dallas.

Beautiful Baytown

Baytown has a reputation for being ugly and dirty mostly because of the refinery, I think. However, even the refinery can be beautiful...This was from my walk this morning with Rachel and Tricia. It was quite scenic but very hot. It was back in the 90s this afternoon.
And this is a picture of us at the temple last weekend.

Sunday

October in Houston is quite different from October in Utah. There are no leaves changing color, no temperatures below 65, no feeling of Winter approaching. However, there are many wonderfully pleasant afternoons and mornings. The weather is perfect for being outside. There is no rain (which is unusual I hear) and the temperature is lovely - right in the 70s. Yesterday, we took a blanket outside (I don't really like laying on grass especially when it hasn't rained in a month and a half and the grass is dying) and spent a couple hours enjoying Fall. We read, talked, napped and then folded up the blanket and walked around the golf course. I could get used to Houston Fall I think.

Saturday

So the scans didn't turn out very well, but I don't really want to rescan them, so they'll have to do.

Mark and I had a busy but really good Saturday. We spent most of the late morning and afternoon at the Exxon Safety Harvest. This was pretty much a variety of booths teaching safety and giving out information and various items (reminded me a bit of the career fair). We got a lot of water bottles, key chains, candy, chapstick, etc. There was also food. I discovered that turkey legs are a lot bigger than chicken drumsticks. And we both discovered that we like funnel cake. We got massages and a family photo and held a giant snake (albino something or other)...
We also got to go on a plant tour through the refinery. Unfortunately. Mark's part of the refinery was not part of the tour because they are still in turnaround. But it was pretty cool to see what it was like inside the gates. It wasn't much different from what it looks like from the outside but you can see more clearly how complex it is. There are so many pipes and valves and units.

After the harvest and a nap we went downtown. While Mark and Steve went and ran 6 miles, Kalina, Clark and I went to the Arts Festival. It was really neat. There were a lot of artists and some really neat pieces. I am really glad that we ended up going. Kalina had worn a BYU football which attracted more attention than Clark. I think we met all the other Mormons there. Anyway, it was interesting and enlightening and I am really glad I went.

We wrapped up the night with some tasty (and spicy) burgers and some college football.

It was a good day.

Finally Nice

The weather has turned beautiful down here. It is so pleasant to enjoy being outside again. Now we just need to get some outdoor furniture.
With the beginning of Fall also comes October Conference...